Wondolowski's late goal sends 'Quakes to the top of MLS

Sandy, UT – The San Jose Earthquakes took over the top spot in Major League Soccer on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium after Chris Wondolowski's league-leading 13th goal in the 84th minute.

Salt Lake dominated the match for large stretches but it was the Earthquakes who snatched the lead in the 75th minute as Alan Gordon found the back of the net against the run of play.

RSL grabbed a deserved equalizer with a wonderful free kick four minutes later, but Wondolowski scored six minutes from time to move San Jose one point clear of Salt Lake.

The first half was tame compared to the second 45 minutes, with the best chance coming in the 23rd minute when RSL's Fabian Espindola had a shot cleared off the goal line by defender Justin Morrow.

The home side took over after the break but somehow failed to score when Will Johnson had his shot saved at close range, with San Jose's Jason Hernandez making a last-ditch sliding tackle to keep out a rebound attempt.

Morales missed the net from 12 yards and Jonny Steele also came close before Hernandez made another save on his own goal line to deny a shot from Luis Gil.

But after soaking up all the pressure, the visitors snatched the lead when Ramiro Corrales played a long ball into the area that skipped past a defender and caused goalkeeper Nick Rimando to hesitate, allowing Gordon to sneak in and head the ball home.

Morales executed a perfect free kick from 20 yards to beat goalkeeper Jon Busch at the left post, but once again a bit of slack defending cost RSL as a throw in was flicked on by Gordon into the path of Wondolowski, who got just enough on his volley to send the ball past Rimando.

San Jose has now won three of its last four games, while RSL suffered its second successive home defeat.